Refurbished wireless routers.....Yay or Nay?

[donfm]

Ok I hope the mods don't call this a repost since this is a different but similar topic but here goes.

I see a LOT of refurbished routers out there for sale at appealing prices. It seems like a good way to get a good router like the Linksys E4200 V1 at a bargain price of $100 versus $179 brand new.

My question is about the reliability of these refurbs. I've seen it both ways some seem to have lots of trouble with failures and intermittent problems. While others seem to have great luck. So is it just a crapshoot like buying a brand new router when you expect some DOA's and failures in the mix with the good ones? Or is there a much higher probability you will get a problematic router? What are your thoughts on refurbs?? From what I've read Cisco tech support of refurbs is horrible at best.

 

[JackMDS]

It depends who offers them.

Getting it from the manufacturer is the way to go.

I bought few of the E4200 refurb. from Cisco.
They all look and perform like you.

Getting refurb. from 3rd party (I.e., not the manufacture or its direct affiliate) many time is iffy at best.

Some take used hardware that do not even know how to test them correctly. They clean the screen or and the outside of the case and they call it refurb.

 

[Kanalua]

I bought a refurb WRT 310n from Amazon. Works fine and was dirt cheap. If it sucks I can easily got a refund.

 

[donfm]

It depends who offers them.

Getting it from the manufacturer is the way to go.

I bought few of the E4200 refurb. from Cisco.
They all look and perform like you.

Getting refurb. from 3rd party (I.e., not the manufacture or its direct affiliate) many time is iffy at best.

Some take used hardware that do not even know how to test them correctly. They clean the screen or and the outside of the case and they call it refurb.

Well I would assume if you buy direct from Cisco it would be tested to new specifications. But how do you know they don't farm it out to a third party repair company like you are talking about and slap a Cisco tag on it? I guess you really don't do you? What about buying from outfits like Newegg who always seem to be having deals on Refurb routers.?

 

[Engineer]

What Jack said. The ones I've gotten from Newegg have been manufacturer units and have been great. If it were "open box" from Newegg (not refurb), I would tend to be more leery (but might try one if cheap enough, lol).

 

[donfm]

What Jack said. The ones I've gotten from Newegg have been manufacturer units and have been great. If it were "open box" from Newegg (not refurb), I would tend to be more leery (but might try one if cheap enough, lol).

Well that's where I'm at now. My needs are pretty simple at present. I want a cheap router to suffice as an access point. While I don't presently need an N900 router.....I would like the thing to at least be a little flexible for future add ons. I'm more interested in range than speed right now. I've always had good luck with Newegg so that's why I asked. Seems like the router deals have dried up after the start of the year. Right before Christmas everyone was having deals now nothing.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I've had good luck with Netgear refurbs, purchased from Newegg, and I think, buy.com.
Only had one bad one, that failed in a week. All others have been solid.

 

[boomhower]

E4200 V1 is a great router, I love mine. At $100 it's a steal.

 

[WT]

I've had good luck with Netgear refurbs, purchased from Newegg, and I think, buy.com.
Only had one bad one, that failed in a week. All others have been solid.

Two refurb Netgear routers in 5+ years for me. The first one had port 4 fail after 2.5 years of service, the second one is running great after 2+ years. I think I got both from Fry's. No problem recommending refurb from me.

 

[Modelworks]

Most router returns are from user error. I have bought many refurbs and ASIS models only to find them working perfectly fine. What I do is do a google search for the model and see what the general consensus is for that model. If it is a design issue you can easily tell from enough reviews.

 

[Modelworks]

Well I would assume if you buy direct from Cisco it would be tested to new specifications. But how do you know they don't farm it out to a third party repair company like you are talking about and slap a Cisco tag on it? I guess you really don't do you? What about buying from outfits like Newegg who always seem to be having deals on Refurb routers.?

I have worked in the refurb and warranty area and refurb doesn't always mean what people think. Refurb used to mean that the item failed, was returned, repaired and sold again, but not anymore as most equipment isn't worth repairing and is tossed in the trash if the cost doesn't justify repair. Consider technician cost is going to be $30 /hour + parts. Many manufacturers require the refurb label be used if the box seal is broken. The item might have never been removed from the box, or it could have been removed and put back and never plugged in and still be considered a refurb.

 

[stargazr]

I have a Netgear Refurbished router from ebay last 5+ years also. It still works great, although I recently replaced it with a Buffalo model.

 

[jhansman]

Got a refurb Linksys E3000 from Newegg, and sent it back 3 days later. An new one may not have worked any better, but the new Netgear N600 I eventually settled on has been rock solid.

 

[donfm]

I've been reading a lot of negative feedback on the E3000 and not just the refurbs. There are a lot of complaints of either DOA or dropping connections. Seems people either love them or hate them. Lot's of complaints about running hot. I'm a little reluctant on that model.

 

[MtnMan]

E4200 V1 is a great router, I love mine. At $100 it's a steal.

Got mine that was a return to a Sam's Club for $110. Good router with good wireless performance. Not sure it is worth the $179 retail, but discounted it's great.

 

[donfm]

Got mine that was a return to a Sam's Club for $110. Good router with good wireless performance. Not sure it is worth the $179 retail, but discounted it's great.

I tend to agree...with all the decent routers out there now at bargain prices I find it difficult to justify $200 for the new E4200 V2 or $180 for the V1.

 

[qft]

I say nay just because most home routers tend to die within 2-3 years in my experience, with or without ventilation.